Riot Games officially unveiled Locke, the next League of Legends champion, in the TL;DW dev update published on May 27, 2026. Locke is described as a high-burst AP assassin built for the mid lane — the first brand-new champion to hit the Rift since Aurora launched in 2024. Riot's own tagline for the champion sums up his identity perfectly: "Slinging nails and taking names."
A Kit Built Around Setup and Execution
Based on information shared by Riot and early PBE reports, Locke will use nail-like projectiles as his core mechanic. His kit is said to feature a dual-form design — an activatable second form — combined with area damage and a sealed artifact mechanic that has yet to be fully detailed. His damage output is heavily dependent on proper setup: a poorly timed engagement will drastically reduce his burst potential. Riot confirms he is a skill-expressive AP assassin where execution and positioning are everything.
Release Date: Patch 26.13, June 24, 2026
Locke is set to launch with patch 26.13, scheduled for June 24, 2026. He will be accompanied by a High Noon skin on day one — Akshan will also receive a High Noon skin in the same patch cycle. This marks the first time since Aurora (patch 14.13, 2024) that League of Legends is introducing a completely new champion, as Riot spent the interim period focused on VGUs and existing champion updates.
Dev Update: Ranked 5s Return and ARAM Mayhem Traits Removed
Beyond Locke, the May 27 dev update also confirmed the return of Ranked 5s — organized five-man ranked queues — and announced the removal of Mayhem traits from ARAM. On the live game side, patch 26.11 shipped on May 28 with a support meta overhaul: enchanter runes and items received targeted nerfs while tank support options were buffed. Smolder also received a rework steering him toward critical strike builds.
Locke is shaping up to be the most anticipated champion of 2026. Mark June 24 on your calendar — the first new AP assassin in the mid lane since Aurora is almost here.